Zayera Khan - UX Leader, Leadership Coach & Design Strategist in Stockholm
Hello! I am Zayera Khan, a UX leader, certified leadership coach, and strategic design consultant with over 25 years of experience helping organizations and professionals achieve transformative results. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, I work with clients globally to solve complex design challenges, develop leadership capabilities, and drive organizational change.
Whether you need a UX strategist to elevate your product experience, a leadership coach to accelerate your career growth, or a design consultant to guide your digital transformation, I bring proven expertise and measurable results.
My Story - From Cognitive Science to UX Leadership
I've spent my career at the intersection of user experience design, technology, and human behavior. My journey started with academic studies in Cognitive Science and Interaction Design in the late 1990s—when UX was just emerging as a discipline. Since then, I've worked across four countries and multiple industries, from startups to global enterprises, always focused on creating experiences that serve people's needs.
What drives me is the belief that good design—whether it's a digital product, an organizational process, or a personal development plan—can fundamentally improve people's lives. I've seen it happen: a healthcare platform serving millions, a workplace intranet that transforms culture, a coaching conversation that unlocks career potential.
In 2018, I took professional development leave to formalize my leadership and coaching skills. That journey deepened my commitment to not just delivering great design outcomes, but also developing the people and teams who create them. Today, I balance hands-on UX leadership with professional coaching for individuals seeking growth.
What I Do - UX Leadership, Coaching & Consulting Services
I help organizations create user-centered digital experiences that drive measurable business results through strategic thinking, rigorous research, and collaborative execution. My core capabilities include leading design teams, building design systems, conducting user research, facilitating workshops, implementing accessibility standards (WCAG), and measuring user experience impact across industries including healthcare, e-commerce, public sector, telecom, enterprise software, and financial services. I partner with organizations to embed design thinking, build UX capabilities, and drive digital transformation—from short-term audits and workshops to long-term fractional leadership roles.
As a certified leadership coach, I support professionals who want to advance their careers. Since 2019, I've coached 20+ individuals through career transitions, leadership development, and workplace challenges. I work with UX professionals at all career stages, individual contributors transitioning into leadership, managers enhancing their effectiveness, and anyone navigating career changes.
For detailed work history and recommendations, visit my LinkedIn profile.
Beyond Work - Writing, Media & Creative Projects
I'm an active writer on Medium, where I've published 63+ articles across topics including reflective essays, travel, UX insights, life in Sweden, and LGBTQ+ perspectives. I've grown a following of approximately 590 readers who engage with my stories.
Robinson - Survivor Sweden TV4 Participant (2024)
In 2023, I participated in Robinson (the Swedish version of Survivor), filmed in the Philippines and broadcast on TV4 in 2024. The experience taught me about resilience, teamwork under extreme pressure, and on-camera communication. The show reaches hundreds of thousands to over a million viewers weekly.
Documentary Filmmaking
I have training in documentary research, filming, and editing from Ölands Folkhögskola (2014). I've produced and self-financed independent documentary projects, handling everything from research and directing to distribution.
Education & Certifications - UX Design & Leadership Credentials
Academic Background
M.Sc. Interaction Design - Malmö University (1998-2000)
B.Sc. Cognitive Science - University of Skövde (1994-1997)
Professional Certifications
Diploma in Coaching (Professional Certification) - 1:1 coaching and mentoring
Advanced Diploma in Leadership (2022) - Långholmens Folkhögskola
Foundation Diploma in Leadership (2018) - Långholmens Folkhögskola
Diploma in Documentary Research & Storytelling (2014) - Ölands Folkhögskola
How I Work - My UX and Coaching Approach
My approach is evidence-based, grounding decisions in research, data, and proven methodologies rather than assumptions. I work collaboratively because the best solutions emerge from diverse perspectives, facilitating conversations that bring stakeholders, teams, and users into the process. I'm results-oriented, measuring success through tangible outcomes such as improved user satisfaction, faster delivery, reduced errors, or career advancement. My work is human-centered, balancing user needs with business objectives and designing for people first. Finally, I embrace an iterative mindset, believing in continuous learning, testing, and improvement.
Track Record of Impact: I've consistently delivered 50-500% improvements across various metrics in organizations of all sizes.
International Perspective: Working across Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, and USA has exposed me to different work cultures and problem-solving approaches. Led design teams across 5+ countries (Sweden, Norway, UK, Lithuania, Romania).
Dual Expertise: My combination of hands-on UX leadership and certified coaching credentials is rare. I can help you design better products AND develop your team. Coached 20+ professionals through career transitions.
Full-Cycle Experience: I've worked across the entire product lifecycle—research, strategy, execution, launch, and optimization.
Objective Guidance: As an external consultant and coach, I provide honest feedback without organizational politics.
Working Together - UX Services & Coaching Engagement Options
If you're looking for UX leadership, strategic consulting, or team development, I offer fractional UX leadership as a part-time executive role, project-based consulting with defined scope and timeline, advisory services for ongoing strategic guidance, workshop facilitation including design sprints and strategy sessions, and team training in Design Thinking and UX best practices.
For Individuals - Professional Coaching & Career Development
If you're seeking coaching or mentorship, I offer one-on-one coaching sessions in 30, 45, or 60-minute formats, covering career development planning, leadership transition support, and UX-specific coaching for professionals in the field. Sessions can be scheduled flexibly on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to suit your needs. Your first UX coaching session is complimentary—let's have a conversation and see if we're a good fit.
Get in Touch - Contact Zayera Khan for UX Consulting or Coaching
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zayera
Location: I am based in Stockholm, Sweden, but work globally with clients across Europe and beyond via online collaboration.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my work. I look forward to connecting with you.
Last updated: November 2024
Community Leadership & Activism
I have held numerous positions of trust in Swedish society, demonstrating commitment to public service, equality, and social justice:
Recent Positions (2020-2023)
Advisory Board Member – Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (Integritetsskyddsmyndigheten) (2020-2023)
Guardian (God Man) – Stockholm City Administration (2020-2022)
Board Member – Animal Research Ethics Committee, Stockholm District Court (2019-2020)
Political & Civil Engagement (2009-2019)
Chairperson – PMS Association (PMS-förbundet) (2018-2019)
Board Member – Stockholm Pride (2016-2017)
Lay Judge – Svea Court of Appeal (2015-2019)
Board Member – Security and Privacy Protection Committee (2015-2019)
Member – Anti-Racist Working Group, Stockholm Pride (2015-2016)
Parliamentary Candidate – Green Party, Stockholm City (2014)
Board Member – Green Party Stockholm City (2012-2014)
Lay Judge – Stockholm District Court (2013-2014)
Board Member – Feminist Perspective (online magazine), Interfem (2012-2014)
Active Member – Green Party equality, diversity, and information policy networks (2009-2015)
Core Issues: Privacy and data protection, equality and diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and inclusive communities.
Professional Coaching Services
Coaching is a solution-focused conversation where you move from where you are now to where you want to be. I don't give you answers—I help you discover them yourself through structured exploration and reflection.
My approach is built on three principles: you have the resources to grow, you can handle the challenges you face, and you are responsible for your choices. As your coach, I see your potential and challenge you to move toward your goals with concrete action plans.
The SMART Goal Method
Success in coaching comes from clarity and structure. That's why we use the SMART goal framework:
Specific: We define exactly what you want to achieve. Vague goals like "get better at my job" become "lead my first design project from discovery to launch."
Measurable: We establish clear metrics. How will you know you've succeeded? What milestones mark your progress?
Achievable: We ensure your goals are realistic given your resources, time, and circumstances. Ambitious, yes. Impossible, no.
Relevant: Your goals must align with your values and long-term vision. We focus on what truly matters to you.
Time-bound: Every goal has a deadline. Timelines create urgency and help maintain momentum.
This framework transforms abstract wishes into concrete objectives with clear paths forward.
How We Work Together
Initial Assessment (First Coaching Session Free)
We discuss your current situation, challenges, and what you want to achieve. This conversation helps determine if we're a good fit and how coaching can serve you best.
SMART Goal Setting
Together, we craft 2-3 SMART goals that will guide our work. These become your north star—clear, actionable, and meaningful.
Action Planning
For each goal, we create specific steps with timelines. You leave knowing exactly what to do next.
Regular Sessions & Accountability
Through weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly sessions (30, 45, or 60 minutes), we track progress, overcome obstacles, and adjust strategies. I hold you accountable while providing expert feedback and support.
Iteration & Growth
We celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and refine approaches. Coaching is iterative—we adapt based on what's working.
Who I Work With
I coach professionals navigating career transitions, individual contributors moving into leadership, UX professionals at all career stages, and anyone committed to achieving specific professional goals.
Common coaching topics include career advancement and transitions, leadership development, workplace challenges and conflicts, building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome, work-life balance and boundaries, and strategic career planning.
What Makes This Different
My coaching combines certified credentials with real-world leadership experience across multiple countries and industries. I've coached 20+ professionals through significant breakthroughs since 2019.
As an external coach, I provide objective, unbiased guidance without organizational politics. I understand your challenges because I've lived them.
Session Details
Confidentiality: All conversations are completely confidential.
Format: Online via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet
Duration: 30, 45, or 60 minutes
Frequency: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
Languages: English or Swedish or German
Ready to Achieve Your Goals?
Professional coaching accelerates your journey. With structured methods, honest feedback, and dedicated accountability, you'll make progress you can measure. Our first coaching session is free. Let's have a conversation and see if coaching is right for you.
Note: I am a certified professional coach, not a therapist. If therapeutic issues arise, I'll refer you to appropriate resources.
